Do you know the exact difference between bribery and rewarding?
Lots of people don’t!
And if you’re new to Brilliant Family Dog, it may be an area that puzzles you.
It can be so annoying when someone sees you reward your dog with a treat, then snootily says, “I don’t BRIBE my dogs. I expect them to do what I ask …”
So I thought that if you already understand this concept, I’d equip you with the science behind it all, so you can respond appropriately to this sort of comment.
If you can be bothered, that is! Some folk are better left to stew in their own ignorance as they absolutely won’t listen to you.
They’ve made up their mind and don’t want to be confused by the facts.
Though I’m always sorry for their dogs …
And if you don’t understand it, then here you go! This will explain this mystery for you.
Bribery vs Reward
When you go to work, does your boss BRIBE you to work?
Or does he REWARD you for work done?
You make a choice whether to turn up to work or not.
If you do, you get paid.
If you don’t, you don’t!
Simple!
And it’s just as simple for our dogs.
We give them a choice: Will you do this thing?
They do it, and get paid.
They don’t do it, and they don’t!
Just the same!
There is no “commanding”, “ordering”, shouting or yelling. The only difference is that they won’t get the sack as you would if you didn’t turn up to work!
They have another chance to earn that reward next time you ask.
Let’s look at the science behind this!
Quick glossary:
A CUE is what we say or do to elicit the action we want. So there are vocal cues, physical cues, environmental cues .. It’s not a “command” because - well we don’t “command” our friends.
A MARKER is what you do or say to tell your dog he’s got it right, like Yes, or Good boy.
A REWARD is whatever your dog finds rewarding and is appropriate at that moment, e.g. treat, opening the door to the garden, going for a walk, cuddles, running and chasing, etc. It has been proven beyond any doubt that a response that is rewarded will strengthen and become automatic.
The thing to remember is the sequence. It’s
CUE - MARKER - REWARD.
“Sit. Yes! Here’s your reward.”
Not
REWARD - CUE!
We don’t need to wave food around their noses.
We don’t need to hold food up in the air for them to sit, or on the floor for them to lie down.
(Of course, a little help is sometimes needed to get dogs to lie down when you’re first teaching them a down. Some find it quite challenging. And guidance with food can get them started so they say, “Oh, I SEE! That’s what they want!”)
The exciting thing about all this is that over time, the CUE becomes the REWARD!
Wossat? The CUE becomes the REWARD?
Magic! ✨ 💥
Want to reward me with a coffee, so I keep giving you helpful articles?
Let’s look at an example
What happens when you pick up your dog’s lead?
Excitement? Anticipation of a walk?
The lead is the CUE - it’s a physical cue - and the WALK is the reward.
Your dog knows, from constant repetition, that that’s how it goes.
And it’s not long before picking up the lead becomes the reward in itself! Hence all the lepping about when you touch the lead.
And of course this cue can travel backwards, till you just thinking it may be walk time is enough to get them going!
This is why your dog will SIT on CUE without need for a MARKER or a REWARD.
They’ve got it. They know this gig.
The pleasure centres of the brain light up when they hear the word SIT. It’s been conditioned to mean good things.
Though if your SIT starts to become hesitant or slow or sloppy, then it’s time for a return to training with
CUE - MARKER - REWARD
Can you see now, how you may respond to someone who suggests you’re using bribery? (That’s someone who’s honestly asking and is prepared to listen! You don’t want to waste your energy trying to convert the snooty, bossy, ones.)
And can you see now, if you didn’t get it before, what an incredibly powerful tool this is?
A-a-a-a-nd, why your dog may always do something when you do something? It’s because in some way he’s been rewarded for doing it, even it’s something you don’t want.
Example?
Dog leaps about barking at the door.
You leap about barking at him.
Wheee! What fun! That’s a great reward!
Have a think about this as you go through your day with your dog!
They’re cleverer than we think.
And to learn more about how to reach your dog’s mind and get him on the same side as you, watch this free Workshop on getting your dog to LISTEN!